Foodie Heaven: Two Hidden Gem Eateries Make a Best of 2023 List

I love a good list that doesn't always feature the same things over and over.

I mean, how many times can we see a national publication mention the same two or three Illinois restaurants over and over?

So while looking at Southwest Journal's list of the 25 Best Restaurants in the United States I was pleasantly surprised.

First, two different Illinois restaurants made the list, and best yet, they might be places you've never heard of until today.

Cellar Door Provisions at 3025 West Diversey in Chicago.

Southwest Journal says "Recognized as a semi-finalist in the 2020 James Beard Awards, this innovative bistro and bakery transitions smoothly from daytime counter service to evening table service."

Yelpster Peter C. has beef with Cellar Door Provisions, "If you're hipster and looking for an expensive glass of good wine with smiley service this is your place. If you're looking for dinner and appropriately priced drinks I do not recommend. I will never return."

Jim A. has different thoughts though:

Perfection
Just need to be open for lunch
Not for people looking for big steak and potato meal.
Globally creative, thoughtful, edgy, in the least pretentious or not pretentious at all.

The other restaurant is Mi Tocaya Antojería.

Mi Tocaya Antojería, led by chef Diana Dávila, serves some of the finest Mexican cuisine in the US. The menu features dishes from various regions of Mexico, made with top-quality local and Mexican ingredients.

At 2800 Logan Avenue in Chicago, Mi Tocaya Antojeria is getting four out of five stars on Yelp.

Deserae D. wasn't a fan saying "Idk for the price I expected more and...one of my friends was so underwhelmed he didn't eat. Usually don't do 2 star reviews. But here we are."

On the other hand, Susan W. thought it was amazing, "We had an absolutely wonderful meal with friends here. Fresh and flavorful and reminded me of things I would get at a Mexican or TexMex place in California."

If you had to pick and could only eat at one place, what would you choose?